It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Yet, a lot of us are finding ourselves backed into a corner this season with too many people to send gifts to and not enough money to live up to retailers' standards. This perspective makes for a dismal outlook on what is supposed to be a season of endless cheeriness and love that will soothe the soul like a nice cup of hot chocolate, so Scene has come up with a way to keep that happiness at an all-time high by eliminating the monetary pressures giving the gifts usually come with. There's no need to stress this season, here are gift ideas that will fit into a minimal budget. For the easy-going significant other: A mixed CD This gift costs virtually nothing but at the same time can be truly touching. Load a CD with songs that remind you of your significant other and your blossoming relationship, and you'll be sure to get a loving thank-you in response. Also be comforted by the fact that every time your boyfriend or girlfriend hears one of those songs on the radio, they'll forever be reminded of you.For the green gal: Organic aloe vera peace soaps If your girl is hippie-chic, she'll love this gift. Made with organic aloe vera juice, these soaps will emanate a soothing fresh mint and herbal scent and come in a cute lime green shape with the word "Peace" printed on one side and a peace sign on the other and cost only $8. Visit midnightfarm.net for details.For the Budding Fashionista: A Magazine SubscriptionSometimes it's easy to lose touch with the fashion world as a Notre Dame student, especially when so much time is devoted to schoolwork and virtually the only place to get a magazine is the Bookstore. Make life easy for your fashion frenzied friends by buying them a subscription to a fashion magazine. InStyle has a going rate of 2 subscriptions for the low price of $29.95.For the smartypants: "100 Words to Make You Sound Smart"This book, costing only $5.95 and provided by Urban Outfitters, promises to enrich people's vocabulary by providing them with words that will fill those awkward gaps, entertain avid listeners, and impress that pinchy boss. Useful words of just one syllable (ex: glib), popular catch phrases from modern-day culture (Catch-22), classical terms (stoic), and words derived from the names of influential people (Machiavellian) are all defined and showed in context in this golden piece. For the TV-Junkie: TV Show T-ShirtsFalling around the $17.95 price range, the T-shirts provided by TVstoreonline.com capture funny quotes, memorable images, and famous phrases of the best shows around that will ensure "fan status" to anyone who wears them. Buy one of these shirts for the Dwight-lover or Serena-wannabe in your life and gain a fan of your gift-giving skills for life.
